So many of Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling’s most memorable shows and matches bear Shoko Nakajima’s mark, those canvases colored with brushstrokes from The Biggest Kaiju’s hand.

She is an integral part of TJPW history, and the two-time Princess of Princess Champion has delivered time and time again. She’s a speedster, a storyteller, a sympathetic hero. That’s all on display in her best bouts.

Nakajima has been effectively both ridiculous and relentless, thriving with the dramatic and the comedic. We’ve seen that against Rika Tatsumi and Miyu Yamashita, with Hyper Misao at her side, with the POP title on the line, and a giant panda bearing down on her.  

Read on to see where I ranked her top seven matches with an eye on action, story, and big moments.

Honorable Mention: Shoko Nakajima and Hyper Misao vs. Haruna Neko and Andreza Panda

Grand Princess ‘23 (March 18, 2023)

After losing the Princess of Princess title, Shoko’s role has shifted. She’s more often the comic relief than the championship contender. This match is one of the most fun examples of the antics she’s been up to.

Some of her more traditional contests have a better work rate and such, but this battle against Neko and a massive panda is so damn memorable. You get Shoko firing off a confetti cannon, stabbing Andreza with a lightsaber, as well as her lassoing the big, cute beast.

It’s TJPW goofiness done right.

As ridiculous as it all is, Nakajima helps ground the match by selling the hell out of everything. She plays up how powerful Mr. Panda is by flopping around the ring and even makes the much-maligned Neko’s offense look good.

7. Shoko Nakajima vs. Yuka Sakazaki

Wrestle Princess III (October 2022)

On commentary, Chris Brookes mentioned the “big-fight feel” this match had. He’s spot on. As two of TJPW’s most successful stars ever went at it for the company’s top prize, a feeling of grandness certainly permeated the air.

Yuka, fully in her Bully Era, made a great foil for Shoko. Despite being the POP champ going in, Nakajima was the physical underdog, in a steady struggle against the destructive Yuka. That led to a healthy supply of drama.

There are some eye-catching high spots like that absolute beauty that was the Miracle Merry-Go-Round from the top rope.

The bout features tight, urgent mat work. Intensity pulses throughout. Nakajima’s last title defense of her second reign, though, isn’t ranked higher because of its slower pace. There’s a lot of pausing and careful attacks throughout.

6. Shoko Nakajima vs. Hyper Misao

Tokyo Joshi Pro ’24 (Jan. 4, 2024)

The annual Nakajima vs. Misao gimmick match is one of TJPW’s best traditions. Every January 4 show since 2020 has seen these two clash in a contest with some zany stipulation. This time out, the rivals and tag partners fought in a ladder match where you win by coloring in the eye of a Daruma doll and thus having your wish come true.

This was the funniest, most entertaining version of their schtick.

We get the hilarious image of Shoko desperately clinging to the turnbuckles while Misao spun a ladder. The fight leads us on a tour of Korakuen Hall. Plus, Misao’s trademark bicycle is upgraded for the occasion.  

Shoko and Misao play their usual hits and it all sings.

5. Shoko Nakajima vs. Rika Tatsumi

Summer Sun Princess (July 2022)

Nakajima’s chemistry with Rika Tatsumi is electric. They always seem to bring out the best in each other, gelling beautifully each time they go head-to-head. Their 2023 Princess Cup match and their collision in the Princess of the Decade tourney finals are both proof of that.

The POP title clash they had in 2022, however, is their best work to date.

It’s powered by emphatic offense, some standout acrobatic work from Shoko, and a straightforward story. Rika pushed the champ to her limit, and Shoko had to pull everything out to retain.

Tatsumi spends much of the match working over Shoko’s leg, creating ample drama as a result. There’s a moment where Nakajima is in great anguish, locked in the figure-four leglock, reaching for the ropes, that is just…chef’s kiss.

This is a match I appreciated more on the rewatch. It ended up higher on the list than I first expected as a result.

4. Shoko Nakajima and Hyper Misao vs. Maki Itoh and Miyu Yamashita

Max Heart Tournament (Feb. 11, 2023)

Wow. What a banger.

The finals of the 2023 Max Heart tournament were a superb mix of comedy and ass-kicking. The first half features more of the goofiness you’d expect from Misao, Maki, and company. The last third sees everyone turn on their burners and charge ahead with a thriller.

Nakajima and Misao play a heelish role, beating up Yamashita’s knee with no mercy and bending/breaking the rules. Their leg work is focused and nasty.

Shoko has a good number of highlights here including one of her dives to the outside and a 619 to the back of Miyu’s knee. She’s a dynamo in a dynamic match.

The only bouts to outrank this one on the list bring more emotional weight along with all the action.

3. Shoko Nakajima vs. Miu Watanabe

Yes! Wonderland (May 6, 2024)

Even though Watanabe won the Princess of Princess title from TJPW’s end boss Miyu Yamashita in March, she still had plenty to prove before she could truly be called the company’s ace. Insert former champ and TJPW mainstay Shoko to offer her another mighty challenge.

Their match in Korakuen Hall began with a lot of mat wrestling and slowly built and built toward an emotional, dynamic barnburner.

Shoko was an assassin here, cold and precise in her attack. She had the upper hand for much of it, but Miu remained strong, resilient, full of heart. Nakajima provided the ideal foil for the new champion here, pushing her to her limit, forcing to deep down into her gut to find the will to win.

The last third of this bout absolutely sings, a magical blend of drama and hard hits.

2. Shoko Nakajima vs. Maki Itoh

TJPW Princess Cup Final (Aug. 15, 2021)

This will be remembered by many as one of Maki’s breakout matches. Itoh’s Princess Cup run in 2021 was huge for her, a showcase of her improving in-ring skills. You have to give Shoko her due for her part in that, playing an ideal foil in this tourney final.

The action is fast and crisp. Shoko delivers a slew of smooth counters. Based on work rate alone, this has to rank among Nakajima’s best on anyone’s list.

It’s the passion and ardency of this battle that has it sit near the top for me.

These foes remain intense from bell to bell. There’s a viciousness to everything. Shoko and Maki’s fervor shines throughout.

And man do these two have a forearm exchange for the ages.

1. Shoko Nakajima vs. Miyu Yamashita

Grand Princess (March 19, 2022)

Nakajima’s second title win was magnificent.

She’s played a good number of roles for TJPW, but she most excels as the underdog that she plays here. She’s scrappy, compelling, easy to root for.

The action is fierce, frenzied, with emotions remaining high for most of it. Shoko sells a head kick like death. She fights like hell to take down the end boss that is Yamashita. It all works beautifully.

Bonus points for being so compact and taut.

This was bigger and more emphatic than their 2016 and 2019 title matches. It was a celebration of Shoko’s skills against an elite opponent. It remains The Biggest Kaiju’s best work, a triumph with a suck-you-in story.